Review: This is book is a little outside of my usual genre. Whereas I love thrillers, I tend to find techno/military-centric books (like Tom Clancy) to be heavy and cumbersome with jargon, but here this was not the case. It was a fascinating read and thoroughly accessible.
Richard Aaron is extremely adept at juggling a complex plot and a full cast of characters. The continuous barrage of new characters was a little daunting in the first fifty pages or so, but Aaron makes sure all of the stories entwine just enough for the reader keep everyone straight. Interwoven with each division, who are either attempting to prevent or create the terrorist attack, is a little bit of back story, keeping the reader invested in not just the story but each of the characters (good guys & bad guys). I couldn't help but route for Turbee and his compatriots. I was so worried about Turbee at one point I was actually flipping through pages to find out if he was okay. Aaron even helps the reader understand what would bring Yousseff, the drug lord turned terrorist, to a point in his life where he encounters the question of committing such a heinous act.
There are a few torture scenes that were a little gory and graphic for me and a couple minor plot points I found tough to believe, but as a whole it is a riveting and terrifying tale. My disappointment was that the denouement was too quick and the ending too open. I wanted more closure. I would like to know what happens with CIA agent Richard Lawrence and his friend Zak. I wanted more wrapped up. However, I think this is a credit to the realistic nature of the book; in real life, there probably wouldn't be a tidy ending to this story. Aaron's second novel is in the works and I hope it contains an epilogue of sorts for this story. Even if it's only mentioned in passing plot exposition.
For a first novel, this is a masterful piece of literature. Aaron's technique of weaving the complicated story lines together is something a lesser writer could not have pulled off. I am anxiously awaiting Counterplay, his second novel.
Final Take: 4.5/5.0
3 comments:
This one sounds right up my dad's alley.
Thanks for the review! I'm just getting ready to start this one!
It is readers like yourself that make writing worth it. It thrills me to get the thoughts in my head transferred to paper so that others are able to experience and enjoy it. Thank you for the wonderful review.
Much appreciated,
Richard Aaron
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